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It is estimated the average woman could consume up to six pounds of the waxy stuff over a lifetime. This also goes for men who wear chap stick. So if you’re gonna eat it, you might as well make sure your lipstick is free of toxic chemicals. The most common include parabens, petroleum, propylene or butylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfates, pesticides, phthalates, artificial dyes and synthetic fragrances.

All Natural Makeup

How safe is your lipstick?

Don’t be fooled by makeup that claims to be all natural. Uranium is technically all natural, but you don’t see anybody using it for anything except making bombs. Just because something says ‘all natural’ doesn’t mean it isn’t harmful. Read the ingredients on the label, or check the EWG’s (Environmental Working Group) Skin Deep Cosmetics Database to make sure it contains no toxins before making your purchase.

Lipstick Eaters, Take Note

These are toxic chemical ingredients known to cause cancer, disorders of the endocrine system (hormonal imbalances) and other health issues in humans and in the environment.

Why Isn’t My Lipstick All Natural?

To keep prices low and meet demand, many cosmetic companies use chemical ingredients to formulate makeup for the texture, color, opacity, luminosity and shelf life. These ingredients are approved by the FDA, however efforts to ban such substances in cosmetics are underway.

Unlike other consumables that fall into the food category, ingredients in lipstick may not appear on the label. This is because the FDA does not consider cosmetics to be food, therefore does not require cosmetics companies to abide by the same regulations such as listing all ingredients and prohibiting certain substances, even in small amounts.

For example, methylparaben is banned in over 27 countries, but not in the U.S.

Don’t forget to read ingredients on chapstick before you buy.

According to The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, this preservative has been linked to cancer and hormone disruptions.

Methylparaben and other ‘varieties’ of parabens are ranked as a “high hazard” ingredient by The Cosmetics Database.

Covergirl uses methylparaben in its Continuous Color Lipstick Line, along with 21 additional “risky” ingredients that vary depending on the shade.

While Revlon has made improvements, its Moon Drops and Super Lustrous Lip Sticks pose a “high risk”, as does Maybelline’s Baby Lips Lip Balm.

Two Plus Two Equals Four … Hundred

According to Natural Health News, the “cocktail effect” of these ingredients could be greater than the sum of their parts. While small amounts of each ingredient have been found to pose little or no risk to humans, scientists are just beginning to understand the effects of certain mixtures and prolonged exposure.

Although some of the most harmful ingredients have not yet been banned in the U.S., many major cosmetics brands are already phasing out the old formulas. In the meantime, use your purchasing power and steer clear of makeup brands that still haven’t achieved environmental consciousness. The Cosmetics Database has an App that lets you check to see which brands and/or makeup lines to avoid so you can make a healthier purchasing decision.